8.5 Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan

Lead Agencies must establish a Statewide Child Care Disaster Plan and demonstrate how they will address the needs of children—including the need for safe child care before, during, and after a state of emergency declared by the Governor or a major disaster or emergency (as defined by Section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5122)—through a Statewide Disaster Plan. 8.5.1 Statewide Disaster Plan updates a. When was the Lead Agency’s Child Care Disaster Plan most recently updated and for what reason? Updating the Statewide Disaster Plan for Child Care Services and the Office of Licensing & Accreditation in March 2024 demonstrates a commitment to ensuring readiness and effectiveness in responding to emergencies and disasters. Here's an overview of the key aspects of the update: General Review and Updates: The plan underwent a general review of processes to ensure that all aspects are up-to-date and comprehensive. This includes reviewing protocols, procedures, and resources to ensure readiness for various types of emergencies and disasters. Completeness: The completeness of the plan was evaluated to ensure that all necessary components are included. This may involve verifying that all key areas, such as communication protocols, evacuation procedures, and resource allocation plans, are adequately addressed. Contact Information Updates: Contact information for key stakeholders, agencies, and personnel involved in disaster response and recovery efforts was updated as needed. This ensures that communication channels remain current and effective during emergencies. Input from SD Department of Public Safety: The plan was reviewed by the South Dakota Department of Public Safety Office of Emergency Management to provide input and feedback. This collaboration enhances the plan's comprehensiveness and alignment with broader emergency management efforts at the state level By conducting these updates and seeking input from relevant stakeholders, Child Care Services and the Office of Licensing & Accreditation are taking proactive steps to enhance their preparedness and response capabilities in the face of emergencies and disasters. This ensures the safety and well-being of children, families, and child care providers across the state. b. Please certify compliance by checking the required elements the Lead Agency includes in the current State Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan. i. The plan was developed in collaboration with the following required entities: [x] State human services agency. [x] State emergency management agency. [x] State licensing agency. [x] State health department or public health department. [x] Local and State child care resource and referral agencies. [x] State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care or similar coordinating body. ii. [x] The plan includes guidelines for the continuation of child care subsidies. iii. [x] The plan includes guidelines for the continuation of child care services. iv. [x] The plan includes procedures for the coordination of post-disaster recovery of child care services. v. The plan contains requirements for all CCDF providers (both licensed and license- exempt) to have in place: [x] Procedures for evacuation. [x] Procedures for relocation. [x] Procedures for shelter-in-place. [x] Procedures for communication and reunification with families. [x] Procedures for continuity of operations. [x] Procedures for accommodations of infants and toddlers. [x] Procedures for accommodations of children with disabilities. [x] Procedures for accommodations of children with chronic medical conditions. vi. [x] The plan contains procedures for staff and volunteer emergency preparedness training. vii. [x] The plan contains procedures for staff and volunteer practice drills. viii. If any of the above are not checked, describe: ix. If available, provide the direct URL/website link to the website where the Statewide Child Care Disaster Plan is posted: https://dss.sd.gov/docs/childcare/blockgrant/CCS_Emergency_Preparedness_Res ponse_Plan.pdf 9 Family Outreach and Consumer Education CCDF consumer education requirements facilitate parental choice in child care arrangements, support parents as child care consumers who need information to make informed choices regarding the services that best suit their family’s needs, and the delivery of resources that can support child development and well-being. Lead Agency consumer education activities must provide information for parents receiving CCDF assistance, the general public, and, when appropriate, child care providers. Lead Agencies should use targeted strategies for each group to ensure tailored consumer education information and take steps to ensure they are effectively reaching all individuals, including those with limited English proficiency and those with disabilities. In this section, Lead Agencies address their consumer education practices, including details about their child care consumer education website, and the process for collecting and maintaining a record of parental complaints.